Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-08-25

lines about her mouth and eyes that spoke
OF age or care-perhaps both, but strange
look OF suppressed pain seemed imprinted
upon her whole face. But even when youth
had lent her the charm and freshness OF
girlhood she must still have been very plain
her complexion was sallow, her eyes gray,
small and keen as q ferret's, her cheek
bones high, her figure tall and angular,
with large hands and wrists; her dress, of
some gray stun, was scant and short; she
wore brown shawl and some fiat, ugly
sort of a bonnet, and glasses. Such, in
brief is the description of those two women
Us remember them that afternoon so long
ago.
The matron waited until we were all quiet I;
then she spoke in her gentle, even tones
my dear children, these two ladies wish to
adopt, as their own, one Of you little girls.
am glad TO say can surely recommend
each and all of you as obedient and trusty
children, and hope, IL this kind lady should
conclude 10 take one of you, you will try
and see the benefit Of the change, and act
accordingly
This was set speech Of madam's; we
had heard it often before, and therefore
paid little attention to II, except TO stare
more fixedly at the floor.
slowly down the long line, scrutinizing
sharply each face before her, not as If max
ing choice, but rather as il searching for
some resemblance. Finally she reached the
matron, at whose side stood, or rather hid,
for felt fear Of the well-dressed woman
felt little less than an absolute terror of
this one, who, with her keen gray eyes,
seemed to see straight through me. hoped
she would pass me by, but she did not. She
paused, and, laying hand on my shoulder,
drew me out of the shadow into the full
light that came in through tho hall windows.
blushed crimson, and hung my head, my
heart beating almost to suffocation, so fright
ened was /, while the woman slowly inspect
ed me from head to foot.
"Hold up your head,n she commanded, in
her brusque way obeyed her. She took
one look in my eyes; a CLEAN OF intelligence
flashed in her face. 1.-THE same" she NUT
tered; "the very same. Now, what is your
name, little grill" she inquired.
'Dorcas Lynn" answered, shyly.
"Dorcas; yes, yes" Then, turning to tho
matron, she inquired very particularly in
regard to my past history, from whence
came, ETC., etc, all OF which madam an
swered to the best OF her ability, giving her
the brief history with which the reader is
already familiar.
This explanation seemed to entirely satisfy
Miss Armund flor such learned was her
name), for she exclaimed, almost eagerly,
thought: "She'll do; I'll take her."
Then, turning to her companion, she in
quired: slave you any thing to say, Lenas"
The other lady had remained seated, APP
parently quite Indifferent as to what her
companion was doing, but at her question
she arose and came slowly down the room
to where stood. Shc gave me one look-a
look so full Of hatred and malice, that it
seemed to scorch my very soul; but her
tones were smooth and soft as she an
swered:
ST you are satisfied, Maria, am con-
tent.n
IL am quite satisfied" answered Miss Ar
mund, in meaning tone.
''Then it is settled" answered the other,
and she swept back to her seat by tho win